045: ANNA JEWSBURY
lives in bows and earrings.
Hello readers and happy summer Friday! Are you ditching work early today? It’s been hot as heck in New York lately - excellent conditions for my near-nude summer dressing policy. Mainly, I’ve been living in assorted silk dresses, the lighter the better. This one from Shaina Mote has been on heavy rotation, along with last summer’s Prada sample sale score, and a hand-me-down Paco Rabanne slip. Lilli’s newsletter on lace dresses really spoke to me - maybe I’ll follow her lead and add vintage Dior nightgown to my collection?
For this week’s letter I spoke to the brilliant Anna Jewsbury, a jeweler and ceramicist behind the cult-favorite brand, Completedworks.
In both her work and her personal style, Anna is all about contradictions. The British designer, who studied mathematics and philosophy at Oxford, is the epitome of an eclectic minimalist. She exists at the axis of clean lines and interesting details. Anna’s outfits are rich with character but never too much. I asked her to tell me how she does it. Read on!
Describe your personal style. What are you living in right now and why?
ANNA: With my personal style I’m always trying to create balance, between over the top and understated, between avant-garde and classic – never too much in one direction. If I’m wearing a lot of jewelry then I’ll wear it with a simpler, more pared back outfit. Or if my outfit is more dressed up I will go for simpler accessories or even none at all.
How often do you shop?
ANNA: I don’t really have any formal pattern or process. I can go for long periods without buying anything and then something will peak my interest and I get caught in a shopping spiral. In general, I try to only buy pieces that I really love and can imagine myself still wearing when I’m 70.
Where do you shop the most?
ANNA: I really like the consistency of having some kind of a uniform, so I stick with a lot of the same designers. If I’m going to go to a physical store then my go-to would be Dover Street Market, one of our first stockists. I always find something unexpected there. I love to shop from emerging designers for something extra special.
ANNA’S MOST WORN
COMPLETEDWORKS EAR CUFF AND EARRINGS
Best buy of 2023?
ANNA: These were a present from my husband so not technically my buy but the Valeria bow sandals from Cecilie Bahnsen have brought much joy with every wear.
What are you currently searching for?
ANNA: The perfect pair of red shoes.
What’s your go-to bodega/coffee/grocery-run outfit?
ANNA: I would throw on some Pleats Please. The pieces are so versatile and great for layering depending on the weather.
Does your style change when you go to work?
ANNA: When I’m working I have to feel comfortable in what I’m wearing otherwise it’s too much of a distraction. I will usually opt for a calm or monochromatic color palette.
What’s your go-to out for a night out?
ANNA: Clothes with interesting textures. Layers of mismatched earrings and ear cuffs all the way up my ears.
What do you always travel with?
ANNA: I have a crossbody handbag from our new collection made from dead stock leather with multiple knotty bows across the strap. It’s a really easy piece I like to travel with as I can throw it over the top of a simple outfit and it looks like I made an effort.
Do you change your accessories daily or wear the same ones?
ANNA: I go through phases. I like the consistency of repeating accessories across multiple days.
❤️❤️❤️